JMM Seeks President's 'Intervention' After Soren's Chopper Take-off Delayed Due To PM Modi's Visit

The JMM has complained to President Murmu alleging that Chief Minister Soren's helicopter was delayed for an hour and a half during PM Modi's visit and sought for 'level playing field'.

As per JMM, Soren's helicopter was not allowed to fly for one-and-a-half hours (Image: PTI File)

Source : PTI

Jharkhand Assembly Election 2024: Alleging that Chief Minister Hemant Soren's helicopter was not allowed to take off for one-and-a-half hours in view of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Jharkhand visit on Monday (November 4), the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) has approached President Droupadi Murmu, seeking intervention to ensure a level-playing field for star campaigners in the upcoming assembly polls. 

In a letter to the President, JMM said that a no-fly zone had been imposed due to PM Modi's visit to Garhwa and Chaibasa, due to which party's "star campaigner" Hemant Soren was delayed for his scheduled commitments. The Chief Minister was set to address an election meeting at 2.25 pm at Bazar Tand in Simdega after holding a meeting at Gudri in West Singhbhum at 1.45 pm. 

JMM writes to President Droupadi Murmu, seeking her intervention after CM Hemant Soren’s chopper take-off delay in view of PM Modi’s security. pic.twitter.com/voKwDb6hYU

— ANI (@ANI) November 5, 2024

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi had to be in Chaibasa at 2.40 pm to address an election rally. The distance between Gudri and Chaibasa is 80 km while it is 90 km to Simdega. The EC had given its approval to Soren's visit. But the CM's helicopter was grounded for one-and-a-half hours, citing the security protocol of the prime minister," JMM spokesperson Supriyo Bhattacharya said in the letter sent to the President on Sunday.  

Stating that the Election Commission (EC) is a constitutional and autonomous institution, Bhattacharya said that the poll body had said that no flying zone would be declared for 15 minutes in a 50 km radius for security reasons, however, Soren's helicopter was not allowed for one-and-a-half hours.  

"Our CM comes from a tribal community and reached this position after a great struggle. You also belong to the tribal community and reached the highest office in the country after a long struggle," the letter said, requesting the President to ensure that all-star campaigners, including tribal public representatives, get equal constitutional protection and respect.